Prepare to keep yourself cool, Wollongong – Thursday’s going to be a scorcher!
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Temperatures up to 15 degrees above the December norm, and surpassing 40 degrees in some parts, are set to bake the Illawarra.
Coastal areas like Wollongong should be spared the worst of heat, with cooling sea breezes expected to keep a lid on temperatures beach-side.
The city can expect a top of 32 degrees.
However, northwesterly winds will pull hot air from central Australia over much of the region, sending the mercury soaring to a forecast maximum of 41 degrees at Albion Park and 39 in Nowra.
The predicted hot and windy conditions prompted the NSW Rural Fire Service to declare a total fire ban for the Illawarra/Shoalhaven.
The ban, which comes into force at midnight, covers the Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly council areas. The fire danger rating on Thursday is severe.
The average December maximums at Bellambi and Albion Park are 24 and 25.5 degrees, respectively.
Bellambi’s highest December maximum on record was 38.3 degrees in 2004.
At Albion Park, the record-high was a year ago on Wednesday – 39.4 degrees on December 13, 2016.
Thursday’s extreme heat will be short-lived, with a top of 26 degrees forecast in Albion Park on Friday.
Saturday should be warmer, with highs of 30 in Wollongong and 32 in the west.
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
